With eggs, turtles and plant stems we will learn how we can inspire ourselves from nature to construct strong and well supported buildings.

If we want to construct buildings safely and robustly, what structures are used by nature to give them solidity?

Challenge 1: How many books can be stacked on a tray on top of 4 eggs?

Challenge 2: How many books can be stacked on top of a single sheet of paper?

1. The catenary is a curve that we can find in nature. We can find it in the shape of eggs, in the shell of a turtle.

A force applied to any point on the curve divides it equally throughout the material. This is why it is used to make materials such as the bottom of soda cans, igloos, tunnels, bridges (April 25) and high tension cables.

2. Look at plant stems and see what similarities there are between them. They are cylindrical, just like the columns of buildings. What could be the reason for this?

For example:

Using pictures of turtles and chicken eggs ask children to outline with a pen the edge of the shell or an egg. To reduce material it is possible to reuse these materials between classes; use pictures on micas, the child writes on the top and then it is possible to erase.

Then show pictures of bridges, arches in architecture, castle doors, overhead electricity wires.

Several images and videos that can be explored by the teacher as a source of information:

Part I

Part II

Material:

4 Eggs

1 cardboard egg carton

1 tray

Books

Material:

• Paper (scratch paper)

• Scissors

• Glue tape